NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 26: Ryan Tannehill from Texas A&M holds up a jersey as he stands on stage with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after he was selected #8 overall by the Miami Dolphins in the first round of during the 2012 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 26, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Chris Chambers/Getty Images)
The Miami Dolphins 2012 draft class focused on filling team needs, and getting some great value in the picks they made. However, ESPN's Mel Kiper, Jr. doesn't necessarily see the Dolphins' draft class as full of value - although a lot of that seems to be based on the fact that Kiper did not agree that Ryan Tannehill should be selected with the eighth pick.
The full Kiper draft grade for Miami is below. Let us know what you think in the comments.
Miami Dolphins
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Top needs: QB, WR, DE, T/G, S
Needs: B | Value: D+ | Overall: C
Summary: On my final Big Board, Ryan Tannehill was my 19th-ranked player. The Dolphins got him at No. 8, and probably felt like they couldn't move down. If he's your guy, you take him and live with it. Tannehill is all projection. My worry for him is he needs more game experience, but Miami can't put him out there as a rookie with the hope of being competitive. Remember, this team went 6-3 over its final nine games. Jonathan Martin isn't a bad get at all in the second round. But again, he won't help the team much in 2012.Olivier Vernon doesn't have a high ceiling, but targets a need. Michael Egnew was my No. 4 tight end, and has solid athleticism. He's 6-foot-5, but can run in the mid-4.5 range.Lamar Miller is a great late value; he has some explosiveness and provides some insurance if Reggie Bush gets dinged. Tannehill's success or failure will define this draft -- no way around it.
Round Pick Position Player College (1) 8 QB Ryan Tannehill Texas A&M (2) 42 T Jonathan Martin Stanford (3) 72 DE Olivier Vernon Miami (FL) (3) 78 TE Michael Egnew Missouri (4) 97 RB Lamar Miller Miami (FL) (5) 155 LB Josh Kaddu Oregon (6) 183 WR B.J. Cunningham Michigan State (7) 215 DT Kheeston Randall Texas (7) 227 WR Rishard Matthews Nevada


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